BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Will Strawberry Have Surgery?

The Dodgers have decided on either Aug. 21 or Aug. 22 as a date for Darryl Strawberry’s back surgery, Fred Claire confirmed Friday.

But some members of the organization are growing concerned that Strawberry may back out in hopes of a recovery through therapy.

Strawberry said, “If I can get better and stronger and I can avoid the surgery, I will.”

Strawberry said that after resting and rehabilitating for nearly a month, he feels no pain in the back.

“The problems I had before, I’m not having those problems,” Strawberry said. “There is none of that nerve stuff I had before. I feel so much better. . . . I want to leave it up to the doctor. I’ll let him decide what happens.”

However, Robert Watkins, who has performed similar surgery on Dave Winfield of the Toronto Blue Jays, has said that Strawberry needs the surgery.

“Darryl is definitely feeling better, but with therapy, we expected him to feel better,” therapist Pat Screnar said. “You have to remember, he’s not playing. We are still proceeding as if he will undergo surgery, we have been told nothing different.”

Claire, Dodger vice president, is aware of Strawberry’s worries.

But even though Strawberry is a $20-million investment, Claire said that he would not force his highest-paid player to go through with the operation.

“Yes, I know Darryl is uncertain about this,” Claire said. “The only thing we can do is give a player the best medical treatment and the best medical advice. We have to let him make that decision.”

Tom Candiotti’s knee must be feeling better. While throwing his knuckleball during Thursday, he raised a welt on the cheek of clubhouse attendant Mitch Poole. “He should have been wearing a mask,” Candiotti said with a laugh. Candiotti, who is on the 15-day disabled list because of a bruised left knee, said he hopes to miss one more start and return by the end of the current two-week home stand. “The knee just hurts when I take off real fast, like when I’m covering first base,” Candiotti said. “I should be fine.” . . . Claire said he did not expect major changes before the Aug. 31 deadline for postseason eligibility. “I’m not anticipating a lot of activity,” he said. “I haven’t received a lot of phone calls.” . . . After getting two hits in four at-bats with two runs scored and two stolen bases in his previous four appearances, Tom Goodwin received his second start of the season Friday, playing left field and batting eighth. It was his second start in 26 appearances.